PERMFILE126095

• Permit No: C2008086
• IBM Index Class Name: Application Correspondence
• Doc Date: 6/7/2006
• Doc Name: DOW Site Visit Memo
• From: Dan Mathews
• To: File
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
DATE: June 7, 2006
TO: File
FROM: Dan Mathews
RE: CAM Redcliff Proposed Mine Project
COLORADO
DIVISION O F
MIN sRALS
GEOLOGY
0.EC LAMATION•MINING
SAFETY•sCIENCE
Bill Owens
Governor
Russell George
Executive DlreEtor
Ronald W. Catlany
Division Director
Natural Resource Trustee
This morning I met with Jim Stover, consultant to CAM Mining LLC, and several representatives of
the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). Primary purpose of the meeting was to view the project
area on the ground and provide an opportunity for informal input from DOW regarding wildlife
concerns and recommendations. Specifically, I thought it was important (for me as well as Jim
Stover) to hear DOWs recommendations regarding potential siting/development considerations to
minimize impacts, as well as possible mitigative measures to be incorporated into future mining and
reclamation plans. DOW staff present were Paul Creeden (Fruita District Wildlife Manager), his
supervisor Dean Riggs (Area Wildlife Manager), Area Terrestrial Biologist Steph Duckett, and
Energy Impact Coordinator Kim Kaal (this is a new DOW position that they just filled a few months
back).
Points of emphasis for DOW include keeping disturbed acreage to the minimum necessary, avoiding
physical disturbance to the high value sagebrush grass habitats on the pediment benches to the extent
possible, and minimizing traffic to the extent possible. The sagebrush grass pediment benches are
important for elk winter forage; mixed juniper and sagebrush habitats on the pediment benches at
slightly higher elevations are apparently important mule deer winter habitat.
Regarding traffic and disturbance acreage, DOW recommended that the operator consider busing or
other alternatives to personal vehicles for transporting mine employees to the site (to minimize traffic
and necessary parking space). This concern might best be addressed at the EIS/ or BLM surface right
of way leasing stage, and DOW indicated that they would make this recommendation and others to
BLM.
The coal waste disposal facility as indicated in preliminary plan maps would disturb a significant
acreage of the sagebrush grassland type that is of particular value as winter elk habitat in the area;
DOW strongly recommended that alternative plans be developed to minimize disturbance to that
habitat type. Jim Stover said that he thought it would be relatively simple to revise the site plan for
the waste disposal to minimize impact to the sagebrush type, and limit most of the refuse area
disturbance to Mancos derived soils. These areas support salt desert shrub communities that are of
Office of Office of Colorado
Mined Land Reclamation Active and Inactive Mines Geological Survey